The Unknowing

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anything dealing with DCU

Chapter Ten: Let Me Go

Third POV

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. You're exhausted, Raven, and you're no help to anyone without a good night's sleep. Now go get some."

She nodded, the promise of sleep peaking her attention. How her friend could stay up all hours of the night and still function normally was something she would never understand. She couldn't help the yawn escaping her lips as she started for the door after mumbling a good night.

The corner of his lip curls up into a small smile as he watches her go without another sound.

His bright blue eyes roamed over the surveillance cameras, waiting for someone to make themselves known. He knew this mission would take its time but he didn't anticipate just how slow going it was going to be. Sure, it all started from a feeling he had and then that feeling led to nightmares. Nightmares that came from his old teammate, Raven. From a bond he thought has long ended.

The corner of his lip raises again in thought. There was a time when he and Raven were very close. He missed that. While he would prefer to see her under different circumstances, he was still glad he was seeing her at all now. And to know their bond, even if it wasn't at its full potential, was still alive. He was forever grateful.

Never in a million years would he have thought that having someone in his head would be a blessing. If you asked him a week before it was created, even a day, he would have said no one should ever be in his head. Boy was he wrong. When he and Raven bonded, it was like the floodgates opened up. He no longer had to hide a part of himself away like he was so used to doing. Not from her anyway. There was a sense of being that was otherwise deprived of him for so long. There was finally someone in his chaotic world that accepted him for who he truly is. Mask or no mask.

He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Leaning back in his chair, he folded his arms over his chest in deep thought. Small shocks of guilt run through him suddenly but he does his best to push it down. Not wanting Raven to take notice, even if she's multiple floors above him.

He should have kept in touch more but of course he got tunnel vision to what was around him in Bludhaven and Gotham. Maybe if he was around more initially, Raven would have never left the Titans. She wouldn't have felt like an outcast. He should have been there, as one of her closest friends. He could remind himself he had other responsibilities that needed to be taken care of but that only left a bitter taste on his tongue.

The truth is, he got so caught up in his own life that he didn't put in enough effort as he should have to keep a dear friend close. A friend who virtually has no friends or family outside the original Titans team. A friend who always thought she was a burden to everyone around her. A friend that most likely needed his shoulder when Gar and Terra got back together.

Who would have thought everything would have played out like this.

"Ya know with that brooding look upon your face, it's no wonder the bat family gets a dark rep. Who died?"

Looking behind him, he saw Jason make his way over to the computer before grabbing a seat on his right. He changed out of his combat gear hours ago, now he's sporting deep red sweatpants and a long sleeve black top. He runs his fingers through his wet, dark locks as he looks over the screen.

"I guess I just got lost in thought."

"Do I want to know?" He brings a nalgene full of water to his lips and it takes everything in Dick not to mention the Wonder Woman sticker slapped to the side of it.

"No, it's all in the past now."

"You sure about that? The past has a way of coming back to bite you in the ass."

"I'm sure. How was your workout?"

"Same old shit. How long do you think until someone comes back?"

"No idea but I hope it's soon."

"Still got a bad feeling?"

"It's never left, it's only getting worse." He stops to sigh, realizing he's been holding his breath. "We've gone up against them before but I can't shake the feeling that we're missing something."

"Maybe we're looking too deep into this?" Dick shoots him a questioning look. "All I'm saying is maybe we need to take a couple steps back and look at this from a different angle."

"Maybe you're right-" Dick faltered in his speech as a piercing pain erupted his frontal lobe.

"Dickhead?"

"Yeah, I just- ahh fuck!" His hands grasped the sides of his head in an attempt to alleviate the pain but it seemed futile as the pain only intensified.

"Dick!" Jason jumped up instantly, suddenly on high alert.

Dick dropped to his knees as a pained cry leaves his lips in a brutal sound. Before he knew it, the pain leaves his system until he feels a burning simmer course through his joints and muscles. Sweat drops down his face.

"What the hell is going on?"

Jason was crouched down in front of him, feeling his forehead with the back of his hand. He pulled away quickly as it burned him slightly.

"I'm fine," he states in a voice that does little to reassure the younger bat.

"Yeah, you look it alright," came the sarcastic quip.

A hand extends its way into his view and he grabs it, letting Jason pull him up from the floor and into his seat.

"Mine explaining to me what the hell that was?"

Before Dick could respond, movement from the computer caught his attention. No, it couldn't be…

"Raven?"

Jason's brows creased as he followed Dick's questioning look. It was dark and a little spotty but he could clearly make out the blue cloak anywhere. Raven is on the screen but more importantly, she is at the warehouse. Right now. Fuck, that can not be good.

"Shit."

"We need to go, now!" Dick yells before he leaps up and makes a beeline for his suit.

Jason reaches out to grab his arm. "Not before you tell me what the fuck is going on, Dick."

"It's our bond, she's in trouble and needs our help. I can feel it, Jay. We need to get to her now!"

He nods in reply and after they both quickly get changed into more fighting appropriate uniforms, they jump in the batmobile without another word.

"I'll drive!"

"Not happening."

"Oh yeah, because I should trust the person that just keeled over to drive?" Jason huffed. "So what exactly did you feel?"

"An intense pressure in my head, like someone was trying to get in and then… then all I felt was fire."

….

Raven's POV

A pungent, smokey smell invades my senses as it scratches my throat and brings unwanted tears to my eyes. Everything in me is screaming to sit up and look around but it's as if ropes are holding me in place. To what you ask? I'm not exactly sure but it feels like the cold slab of rock I felt last time I entered this dream state. My usual cold body was set ablaze as fire surrounded me again. I cannot feel any clothes as my body presses closer to the rock I'm laying on.

I can feel the flames turn from a flicker around me to a complete uproar. I try my best to wiggle out of whatever is holding me down but I cannot move in the slightest. Shit shit shit. Why can't I move? And why the hell do I have a blindfold on? Once I get out of here, I'm going to kill whoever is behind this.

I just need to make it out to begin with.

"Hello, my beautiful Raven. My is it good to see you again, even if you can't quite see me."

Immediately, I recognize his voice and despite the heat of the flames, chills run up my spine and up to the back of my neck. "Blood."

"Miss me?"

"I should have known this was you."

A deep chuckle leaves his throat as I feel him circle me. "On some level you did, didn't you?"

"Let me the fuck go. Now."

"You must be confused, my beautiful demoness. I don't have you, at least not yet. But all in due time we will correct that, won't we?"

"What do you want?!"

"What I've always wanted. Power. Control. I would have thought you knew this by now," he chuckles to himself.

"And I would have thought you knew that psychotic dream of yours is just that, a dream. A twisted fantasy that I'll make sure never comes to light."

"I wouldn't be so certain about that."

"Trigon is gone, forever and you can't bring him back. You'll never achieve what you want, I'll always be there to stop you."

"Like you're "stopping" me right now? I have a hold of you in this dream state, Raven. You may be free of my control in the real world, for now, but while we are in here you are under my complete and utter control. Just the way it was always meant to be." To emphasize his point, the ropes constrict tighter around me to the point that I'm gasping for air. "When will you learn this?"

My teeth sink into my bottom lip in an attempt to quiet any whimpers I so desperately want to release from this relentless hold he has on me. Blood trickles down my chin and that's when I feel him closer than ever. The heat of the fire extinguishes as he inches closer to me, too close for comfort. My breath hitches in my throat, any comment I have staying silent deep within. I can't risk my smart mouth making this situation any worse. And believe me, it could be worse.

His aura is all consuming, which causes my brain to feel fuzzy. My senses are all over the place as I feel his breath along my face. That's when I feel his tongue licking away the trickle of my blood. He sits back slightly as he releases a deep, satisfying moan. Goosebumps litter my skin despite the heat the flames left. I don't have to see his face to know he's smiling wickedly down at me.

"You truly are ravishing," he hums.

"Let. Me. Go." I demand in the harshest tone I could muster in this moment.

"How many times do I need to inform you that I do not have you yet, my darling? But don't fret, I will soon enough. We will meet again, sooner than you think. But until then, I'll leave you with this…" He trails off, leaving me with a queasy feeling deep in my belly.

Anxiety locks me down into place even more, or maybe that's his magic, I'm not quite sure. But what I am sure about is the feel of his lips suddenly pressing down on mine. They're burning against my own. Dominating me in a way I don't want to be dominated, not by him anyway. My head gets fuzzier by the second as his energy and the feel of his lips make me sick. This isn't what I want. I need to wake up. Now.

I must have gotten my wish because in the next second, I feel nothing but a cold sensation wrapping my body into a cold nothingness.

….

Third Point of View

Dark, warm energy surges her forward into the night. The only light being her white eyes glazed over. She was elegant but brisk in her walk. The deeper she got into the abandoned building, the stronger the pull to be here. Something or someone was alluring her into its web. The fuzziness clinging to the edges of her existence kept her from thinking clearly. All she knew was that she needed to be here. There is no sound, the place is eerily quiet but she pays it no mind. She doesn't even acknowledge it. She comes to a stop in front of a wall and by this point her body temperature has risen immensely, leaving her hot to the touch.

Her hand raises and it doesn't take long before black magic starts to take form, enveloping her hand. Before anything happens, she feels a prick coming from her left shoulder, halting any magic casting. It causes her to escape the spell she found herself under but when one problem ends, another begins. Turning swiftly, she is faced with darkness and a low, smooth chuckle. A frown takes form as she blinks away any lingering fuzziness but it feels impossible to do that when a new fuzzy feeling starts taking hold of her. She barely registers the black and orange costume before surrendering completely to the darkness that welcomes her.

"You're making this too easy for me." She barely registers the voice and the soft metallic boots pressing against the cold floor.

….

"Time to wake up."

A groan escapes Raven's dry, cracked lips. For several long moments a dull ringing echoed in her ears, making it difficult to focus on one thing. It wasn't until it started subsiding, she noticed the metallic footsteps walking towards her. The boots creaked as they crouched down to her level. A glove hand reaches for her chin, raising her eyes to meet the unmasked face looking back at her with a smirk.

She doesn't know how long she's been out but it feels like the cold floor has long robbed every ounce of warmth from her body. A shiver ran up her spine.

"S-Slade…?" She breathed out in a strained whisper. Her throat was scratchy from the flames in her dreams. It might have all been magic but the side effects were very real. And then there's the drug that's still cursing through her system, slowing down her response time.

"Been a long time, kid. Miss me?" He watched her like an animal watches their prey because that's exactly what she is to him. His eye shined with glee, knowing he is one of the only people to ever be able to subdue her. Just like all those years ago on her birthday. She may be a cambion but he is a genius and a very patient man. There's always a way to get the upper hand.

"I wouldn't worry about phasing or even creating a portal out of here. With that lovely collar around your neck, you are nothing more than a mere human. No powers and certainly no empathy to lean on. And I guess I won't be needing this anymore," he trailed off as he grabbed a crystal out of his pocket. "Remind me to thank Jinx for casting a cloaking spell on this long enough to subdue you."

Raven swallowed the fear down her throat as the feeling of emptiness filled every sense she had. With her magic, Slade was an opponent to be feared but without magic….

"How long has it been? Two-three years? More? I've lost count. Far too long for my tastes though. I hate to admit it but I've grown quite nostalgic when I think back on all the fun times I used to have with the Teen Titans. But you're all grown up now. Titans." A low rumble that can only be disguised as a chuckle left his lips as he leaned back and out of Raven's touch. "Although word around the block is you're not a Titan anymore, are you, Raven?"

Slade's words went in one ear and out another. It's getting easier to process his words despite the cold wall stealing her attention that she's propped up against.

"I was surprised to hear you parted ways but perhaps now isn't the best time to dive into that. I'm here on official business, Raven." He pauses before continuing, "I'm truly sorry to say this but you are too dangerous to let live."

"Just because I'm not a Titan anymore doesn't mean I'm dangerous," she said slowly.

"No, but not having a team look out for you does make you more of a threat. If I remember correctly, your powers are based on your emotions. What happens when you're all alone and something makes you tick? There's no one to calm you down. You're all alone."

"I'm not alone, they're still my friends. Not that it's any of your business, Slade," she growled. "Why don't you tell me why you're really here?"

….

Raven's POV

"It's nothing personal, Raven." He shrugged. "It's just that I learned the hard way the first time around. I'm team save the planet all the way, even if that means I have to take you off the board."

He paused to stroke his chin and look off into the distance.

He looked like he was in deep thought but I knew him better than that. He wanted to make me wait, test my patience while proving he had the upper hand in this sticky situation. He was lucky because if I had access to my powers then I would give him everything I had. I would make him remember that night I showed him the true extent of my powers under the old library. He got off lucky then too.

He distracted me by pointing out how scared my friends could be of me. I tried so hard to hide it. My dark side. I have been feared my whole life, even the children I grew up with stayed away from me. I had enjoyed living in the short bliss of their ignorance.

"You know I was never a fan of your speeches, Slade."

Laughter escapes his lips as the light glints off his eye. "Correct me if I'm wrong but you're not a fan of much, are you?"

"I'm not a fan of you if that's what you're asking but I think you already knew that." My tone is sharp as thorns and cold as ice.

"Don't be like that, Raven. I think we're closer than you like to admit." He took a few steps closer to me until he was standing right in front of me.

He seems taller than I remember and he is definitely more built since I've seen him last. I hated that I had to look up at him. I didn't have to have my empathy to know it made him feel even more superior to me. He thrived in having the upper hand.

"After all, you and I know your father better than anyone else on this planet. I know things even your Titans friends don't know about. I may even know more than you."

He leaned in close to my ear. I refused to react so I remained as still as I could. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction I knew he wanted.

"Trigon was very open to me. He loved talking about you." He leaned back on his heels and slowly started walking around me, making me feel like a captured bird in a cage. "Did you know he had many contingency plans in case we failed? It's funny to think about it now. Years later but it appears we have made it full circle."

He paused to let his words sink in before continuing on. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this but I can't let you live when I know Blood has his sights on you and will do anything to get you. And if he does get you, Raven, then he will force you to bring on the end of the world and I quite like this world the way it is."

He stops in front of me once again. "I'm sure you understand? After all, didn't you come here to save it? A planet you knew nothing about except that your mom was born here. Gotham to be exact. Am I right?"

I bite my tongue, I wouldn't let him see how much talking about my mother bothers me. I won't give him the satisfaction his twisted mind wanted.

"Perhaps talking about mommy dearest isn't a good idea. I can tell it bothers you even though you hide it so well. Trigon told me your love for her made you weak. Little did he know, that love made you stronger, along with the love of your precious Titans. Love for your precious leader, Robin. Or should I say Nightwing?" He paused to stroke his chin in thought. "He was the tipping point, wasn't he? He was the one who went to hell for you and worked side by side with me even though he vowed to never join forces with me again. It was sweet then but even sweeter now.

It's a shame he never saw you as anything other than a friend who needed saving. Starfire never made sense to me. Sure, she's attractive but between you and I, I was rooting for you all along. I'm not sure if it was the bird names or the fact that you're both dark natured at heart. He hides it better than you do but it's there and we've both seen it. He hides it so well to most behind that mask but we both know he's one wrong mission away from cracking. I'm sure of it."

"Then you don't know him at all," the words escaped from behind my clenched teeth.

"What was that, my dear?"

"He's the best of us, he'll never crack."

"Not even if the two most important women died because of him?"

My eyes narrow at his words. He wouldn't dare hurt Kory. Not like he could even do that easily but still the thought of him having his sights on her leaves me uneasy more than anything else he's taunted me with. She's been like an older sister to me since I joined the Titans. We're as different as they come but her love and loyalty for us was unmatchable. I would do anything for her and he knew that.

He chuckles again at my reaction, even if it was minimal. He knew my mind was going a thousand miles a minute, wondering how far he'll go or if he's bluffing on everything to aid his scare tactics. I hope the latter.

"Hypothetically, of course. You know you and your old Titans hold a special place in my heart."

He better hope he's telling the truth or he'll live to regret putting hands on one of my friends.

His relaxed demeanor suddenly changes to a more serious one as he straightens his back and stares down at me with a stoic eye. "He really does love you in his own way, Raven. But I think you already know that."

He doesn't specify who he's referring to but I'm pretty sure he did that on purpose. I don't know how he knows I had a teenage crush on Richard and I don't care. All I care about is getting this infuriating inhibitor collar off and getting out of this place in one piece.

I've heard enough from him to last a lifetime.

But how can I possibly get out when he's blocking the only door? Think, Raven, think. I don't have my magic but that doesn't leave me completely helpless.

I crane my neck to meet his gaze. It's weird looking him in the eye when I've gotten so used to his mask. In a way, he's more intimidating without his mask. At least with a mask, I didn't have to look at him and see his facial expressions.

Human or not, Slade Wilson is intimidating.

"I'm not scared of you."

"I never said you were."

"It doesn't matter who tries to turn me evil. I will never help destroy this planet or any other ones for that matter. I'm stronger than that, I can handle Brother Blood. You don't have to kill me, we want the same thing."

"You're right there, we do want the same thing. Neither one of us wants Blood to bring back Trigon for obvious reasons, plus I doubt he's forgiven me and I'm not really in the mood for a visit. However, I have very little doubt in my mind that Blood will fail this time around, Raven. He's brought in help from outside his followers."

"Like Joker?"

He looked at me curiously. "And how do you know that?"

"I thought you knew me, Slade? Did Trigon forget to tell you I have visions while he was betraying you?"

He smirked. "As a matter of fact, he did tell me. He also mentioned that you only have said visions when your life is in danger." He leans closer. "So tell me, Raven, did you have a vision of Blood?"

Fuck, this is a trap and I was stupid enough to walk right into it. I should have known better.

At my lack of response, he continues, "Right, well if you're having visions then it sounds like Blood wins, which unfortunately for you… means I have to stop him by eliminating you. Like I said, my dear, it's nothing personal."

"Keep telling yourself that." She smirked. "Maybe one day you'll believe your own words."

"I may be a lot of things, Raven, but believe it or not I don't get off by killing young women like yourself."

I can't help the snort that escapes me. "I find that hard to believe."

He crouches down to my level, eye to eye. "I almost feel bad for being the one who has to do this after our long history."

He reaches out to stroke my face and I let him, not wanting to give him the reaction I know he craved. I stay abundantly still as my gaze hardens at him. He pushes a stray piece of hair behind my ear before slowly trailing his hand down the length of my neck. His hand is surprisingly warm and gentle. I can feel goosebumps litter the surface he touches against my will.

One of the biggest things I hated about Slade was the fact that he is unpredictable and like me, hard to get a read on. Especially without my empathy, thanks to this collar that I can't wait to get off and destroy.

"It really is a shame." I almost didn't hear him even though he was crouched right in front of me. But his smooth voice wrapped in velvet was unmistakable.

He didn't have to spell it out for me to know what happens next. I take a big breath of air, steadying myself for anything to come. His rough hand starts closing in on my neck until he has a firm grip. He's not choking me, not yet but either way I can't move from his grasp as he has me trapped like a bird in a cage.

He's lucky I don't have my powers. Extremely lucky.

Before his hand tightens anymore, I decided to make my getaway attempt. Like they say, it's now or never and I'm not sure how much longer I have. I have no doubt that our history is the only reason I'm still alive. Otherwise I'd already have a bullet in my skull.

"You're right, you do know me pretty well, Slade."

My words must have an effect because he pauses briefly to hear me out but I have nothing left to say to him. While he's fixated on me, I swing my leg out to throw him off balance. It works as he stumbles back, surprised I'm foolish enough to fight him without my magic.

I don't waste any time, I need to use his surprise against him while I can. It's a no brainer that this man is stronger and faster than I am but I'm not a liability without magic. I was born a survivor and survive I will. I leap at him, throwing my whole body weight against him. I aim a kick where I know it'll hurt him the most but he blocks me with his hand. Quickly I aim my other leg, hoping it'll make its mark because I don't have any other options at this point.

It hits and I hear a low, painful groan leaving his lips as he pushes me off. While he's distracted, I reach for the closest weapon on him. A pistol. I take a few steps back as I hold it tight in front of me. I aim at his chest.

"So you also know I don't die easily."

He glances my way before chuckling and standing up. "Aren't you full of surprises?"

He towers over me, making me feel smaller than I am but I ignore that feeling as I grip the gun in my hands. I've never used one before but I feel confident enough to use it against him. It's not like I have a lot of options.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" He asks, making me glance at the weapon in my hands.

No, I didn't forget to take the safety off. I just wasn't sure if I actually wanted to shoot him or not. I've never shot anyone before and I'd like to keep that record going but I guess fate hasn't left me too many options so I click it off.

"You were saying?"

His face hardens as he evaluates my body language. I can tell he's looking for my weak points. He doesn't plan on going down without a fight but neither do I. He takes a step closer to me and I fight against my instincts to take a step back.

"You and I both know you're not going to shoot me, Raven."

"Wanna bet?" I growl behind clenched teeth. He takes another step closer. I stay perfectly still, willing myself to do what needs to be done to make it out of this hell.

"You're strong but killing someone requires a different type of strength. I know what that feels like and you don't have it in you, kid."

I can't help but grimace. "I was a kid when you chased me down. I was a kid when you stripped me of my uniform and tossed me off a building without a care in the world. I'm not a kid anymore and you don't know me as well as you think you do, Slade."

He growls and lunges for me in an instant. I pull the trigger and hear a loud noise emanating from the pistol. My eyes widen as the bullet ricochets off his uniform. Of course, it's bulletproof. Why wouldn't it be?

I curse as I try again but the same thing happens. I'm desperate and he knows it. There's a twinkle in his eye as he smiles.

"Did you really think I would be in this line of work without bulletproof armor? C'mon, Raven, I thought you were smarter than that?"

I take a huge step back as I try to dodge him but he's faster than me, catching me by my arm and swiftly disarming me. In that same move, he twists my arm behind my back until it's locked in place. Fuck, there goes my chance of getting out of here. Where is Dick and Jason?!

"Nice try, Raven, but you're out of your element here," he breathed against my ear as he held me tight. I bit back any snarky comment or whimper I wanted to let out. "Sweet dreams."

That was the last thing I heard him say before I felt a sharp jab to the back of my neck.

It's been a minute, huh? Sorry about that, my life has flipped upside down. I found out my mom has stage 4 cancer and well, I think it's easy to assume where my attention has been. Plus adding on my busy work schedule, but fingers crossed I get a remote job very soon. I'm working hard to update at least once a month so that is my goal for everyone who enjoys this story and for myself, who enjoys writing and reading it. For the wait, I combined two chapters into this one so it is nice and long. I hope you all enjoy and please leave a comment on your thoughts or any suggestions you might want added. And lastly, if you have the money, take your mom out to lunch and let her know how special she is to you because no one loves you like your mom ❤️